Early
morning murk and drizzle was the welcome at the club. However the sky
began to brighten after about 9:30 and gliders were soon
brought out. The wind was teasing us with the forecast south easterly
component but by the time we were ready to go it was predominantly south
with a tinge of west so the winch was despatched to the south west
corner and there it stayed all day.
The
aerobatics course contingent were briefed and eager to go when flying
started at about 11am. Thereafter John Sillett and Martin Woolner vied all
day for who could spend the most time in other than the normal gliding
attitude.
Phil
Morrison kindly volunteered to do the first trial lesson, Stuart Procter did the
midday one and Simon Leeson briefly left the tug, a noble gesture,
to do the third which was a great help with working through the flying
list, many thanks.
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| The South Ridge (Peter Smith) |
Instruction
flights mostly used the by now moderate and gusting southerly wind to
get practise at modified circuits for crosswinds
and dealing with same in launches and approaches. Chris and David
Woodward, also Ross Pratt and Oscar Leeson went through the mill successfully on
that. James Flory helped with instructing in the afternoon and Sam did
sterling service in the winch, thanks both.
There
were little scraps of lift about all day but nothing solid enough to
work with and some serious sink to contend with as well.
Meanwhile
Matt Williamson in 611 went on bended knee and pleaded for an aerotow which by
huge sacrifice we were able to provide and he went off
to the seaside, as did Nick Jones and Phil Morrison in DD3 but under their own steam.
Both had good flights until the wind dropped at the coast.
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| 611 at the seaside (Matt Williamson) |
Flying
continued until the easterly influence finally settled in giving Oscar a
very interesting simulated launch failure in JZK. It
fulfilled the awkward height criteria admirably and the longest walk
possible back from the western end of the field perfectly met the BGA
mantra of always land ahead if you can.
Thanks
to all who pitched in and helped, especially Wyn Davies who stood in at the
last minute as launch marshal and ended up winching to
enable us to finish the list. Overall a good day - Peter Smith
At the seaside
At the seaside
You’ll often hear instructors say “never believe the forecast”. Checks
complete and waiting to launch, the excitement and anticipation was
coupled with crossed fingers that this time the forecast was right; the
wind suitable for a trip to the seaside.
After the low down turbulence the tow
smoothed out and James Hood, who had prised Simon out for the tug for an
opportunity for a tow to the cliffs, got to practise his best RT voice
with Exeter ATC for the first time as a “PA25 and glider
combination." After release I flew cautiously towards the cliffs to
ensure I had plenty of height should they not be working, I arrived
above the clouds and gently drifted down around them to check the lift,
they were working to 1700' QNH, game on!
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| About to start as a strafing run to the west (Matt Williamson) |
The 20 had a good airing above and beneath the Jurassic coast between
Sidmouth and Beer Head, when I first arrived ridge running could
maintain 110+kts along the top. Distracted waving to the walkers I only
managed a task speed of 150kph with a fastest lap
of 186kph, more practice needed please weather gods.... Walking the
cliffs and watching would have been almost as fun as flying today, John
Street commented that a peaceful walk at Branscombe Mouth was
interrupted by a glider that was going too fast to read
the registration. I was joined by Nick Jones and Phil Morrison in DD3,
no excuse needed for a day out in their new toy but a great use of the
turbo getting down.
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| DD3 motoring to get back (Matt Williamson) |
As
the day progressed it got soft as forecast, flaps needed to go from
full up to full down and I managed another hour floating around, DD3
fired their engine and motored home. I selected a field and initiated
the retrieve crew whilst still
in the air. I slowly came down until I got to a safe high key point for
my field, options would have been limited after this! I finally settled
down in a field on top of the cliff under the watchful eye of Ian
Mitchell who had come to join in the fun with
the Motor-Falke. James and Stuart were with me in about 10 minutes for a
silky smooth retrieve, thanks guys.
A rare weather window allowed for a fab day out at one of the best attractions gliding and Devon and Somerset have to offer! - Matt Williamson
